Structural Analysis of Monocoque Chassis with and without a B-Pillar

Abstract

Fusion360 was used to design a vehicles chassis with and without B pillar, then implementing structural analysis to measure the structural rigidity, and capability to handle stresses, and total deformation. Two car chassis designs are made, with and without the b-pillar and subjected to two structural stress tests, a side and a roof force impact. The stress analysis performed in Fusion360 shows that the b-pillar has little effect on the roof support, where the difference in maximum stress and total deformation is very small. However, a very significant difference is recorded in the side force test where a 111% more deformation occurs, and 32% more maximum stress handled by the existence of a B-pillar. This result is logical as the B-pillar acts as a side reinforcement more than reinforcing the roof.